The Defensive Eating Seminars take place at Seton Support Center at
St. Thomas Hospital on the second Friday of every month, from 2:00 pm
to 4:00 pm. For more information about seminars and lectures, call
222.6136 or write to RPende@stthomas.org and "Ask Randy."

L ocal Hero

The Secret's Out! Ask Randy Pendergrass!

Article and photos By Julia Ozburn

Have you ever found a really good deal and wanted to keep it a secret?
That's how many of Randy Pendergrass's regular Defensive Eating
Seminar participants feel about the free monthly discussions that
Randy leads at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville. The "regulars" want
to keep it a secret because they can ask Randy questions about
nutrition in a relaxed environment. Randy, a licensed sports
nutritionist who has worked at St. Thomas Hospital for fifteen years,
also provides participants with a free collection of resources.

"It is very simple: Randy cares. He is
passionate about what he does and he loves to learn. It is this
passion and desire to stay current with nutritional information that
has earned him his nickname, the Guru."

Randy is well known at the hospital, especially around the Dan Rudy
Cancer Center nurses. When a question comes up about a cancer
patient's nutrition, the answer is always, "Ask Randy." When Randy
realized he was often hearing the same questions, he started offering
the Defensive Eating Seminar series. Since the series started in 2007
Randy has helped hundreds of patients, including people who have been
treated at other hospitals. It is very simple: Randy cares. He is
passionate about what he does and he loves to learn. It is this
passion and desire to stay current with nutritional information that
has earned him his nickname, the Guru.

It doesn't happen very often, but occasionally Randy does not know the
answer to a question. This will lead him to research, and he will find
an answer. For someone who is ill, Randy's efforts are a blessing,
providing needed information when he or she may not have the time,
resources, or knowledge to understand issues about nutrition.

In addition to his nutrition training, Randy is a strength and
conditioning specialist and licensed massage therapist. The
combination of professional expertise and his strong physical
appearance makes the fact that Randy is a cancer survivor
surprising. "When I tell patients that I am a seven-year throat
cancer survivor, they immediately listen to me more
carefully," he says. "I am very serious about nutrition and
being proactive with my health."

After Randy's cancer diagnosis, he began buying only local
foods. "I spend most of my day counseling patients who have
metabolic disorders and patients with cancer," Randy
says. "The first thing I tell patients is they should not drink
soft drinks, of any kind." His next favorite piece of advice:
"Buy local foods from local farmers." Jenny and Darrin
Drake, owners of Peaceful Pastures farm, have been supplying Randy and
his wife with meats for six years. "There is no comparison
between Peaceful Pastures meats and other meat sources," Randy
says. "The taste is incredible and it is nutritious."

The secret about Randy is out, and he is receiving more invitations to
speak to groups about nutrition. "I try to educate my audience
about healthy eating, disease prevention and management. I try to stay
ahead of information and keep my patients informed about what I have
learned."

In addition to his regular Defensive Eating Seminar, Randy speaks
around Nashville at places such as Baptist Hospital, YMCA groups, and
newcomers' clubs. At every lecture, Randy pulls out a copy of Local
Table magazine and tells his listeners, "This is an incredible
resource to learn about local farmers." He opens it up and talks
about the value of eating in season, and eating freshly harvested
local produce.

Last fall, Randy went to visit Delvin Farms. Walking the halls of the
hospital is quite different from walking the fields at the farm, and
Randy relished every minute, especially the opportunity to have a
conversation with Hank Delvin, Sr. about issues of food and
agriculture. An outstanding healthcare professional connecting with an
outstanding local farmer-we need more of that! So don't be surprised
if you find that a conversation about eating healthy and eating local
ends with two words: "Ask Randy."

The Defensive Eating Seminars take place at Seton Support Center at
St. Thomas Hospital on the second Friday of every month, from 2:00 pm
to 4:00 pm. For more information about seminars and lectures, call
222.6136 or write to RPende@stthomas.org and "Ask Randy."